Automobile jack



' March 25 1924.

c. BARRELL AuToMoBiLE JACK Fi'led Sept. 15: 2 aqu -shut 1 ATT RNEY iyvxTusssss March 25 1924;

C. BARRELL AUTOMOBILE JAOK Filed Sept. 13

1922 2 Sheets -Sheet 2 ATTORN EY WITNESS ES Patented Mar. 25, 192

CHARLES BARRELL, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA.

AUTOMOBILE JACK.

Application filed September 13, 1922.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES BARRELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Petersburg, in the county of Pinellas and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automobile Jacks, of which the following is a specification.

It is well known that when a motor operated vehicle is allowed to stand idle for any appreciable length of time, the weight sup ported by the tires, is very detrimental to the latter, and materially shortens the life thereof.

It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to provide a jack designed to be engaged by the front and rear axles of the vehicle, as the latter is driven to a position above the jack, and elevated by the latter to space all four wheels from the ground or surface.

An important object of the invention resides in simplifying jacks of this character, and providing a construction which is highly efficient for the purpose intended, and one which will elevate the vehicle in a manner stated without subjecting the jack to any twist or torsional strain.

Another object of importance resides in providing a jack of the class in question, susceptible of longitudinal and vertical adjustments to accommodate itself to vehicles of different size.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a novel construction of means for holding the vehicle elevated, and for also releasing the vehicle, so that it may be lowered onto the ground or surface.

The nature and advantages of the inven tion will be better understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings, the invention residing in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawings forming part of this application, like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the jack showing the normal position of the parts.

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the position of the lifting frame when supporting a vehicle with the four wheels spaced from the ground.

Figure 3 is a top plan view.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line Serial No. 588,019.

4-4: of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken on line 88 of Figure 2.

The jack forming the subject matter of the present invention, embodies two main parts, namely, a supporting frame A and a lifting frame B. The supporting frame includes spaced parallel side members of angular formation in cross section, and each side member is made'up of slidably associated sections 10 and 11 respectively, which permits the frame to be adjusted longitudinally to vary its size. These sections of each side member are held fixed relatively in a given position by means of suitable clamps 12, which embrace said sections, and which clamps have associated therewith binding screws 13, as clearly illustrated in Figure 6. The side members are connected together at their ends by transversely disposed members 14. The frame is further provided at the ends thereof with inclined tracks 15, the tracks being all inclined in the same direction for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

The lifting frame is of the same general outline as the supporting frame just described, it being made up of spaced parallel members, each of which include slidably as sociated sections 17 and 16 respectively. These sections are of angular formation in cross section, and are embraced by a suitable clamp 18, which is equipped with a binding screw 19, which holds the respective sections fixed relatively.

Manifestly, the lifting frame can also be adjusted longitudinally to vary its length. The side members of the lifting frame are connected at their ends, and also at suitable points in the length of the frame by transversely disposed members 20. Carried by the lifting frame are front and rear axle supporting members 22 and 23 respectively.

Each of these members include a platform or axle seat, which is supported by spaced standards 24K, the latter being slidably associated with a support 25, and longitudinally slotted as at 26. The slots 26 accommodate guide bolts 27 while each standard is further provided with a plurality of openings 28 to receive pins 29, which are attached to the supporting members by chains 30. By reason of this construction, either or both front and rear axle supporting members can be adjusted vertically, and this fact coupled with the fact that the frames are susceptible of longitudinal adjustments, it is manifest that the jack in its entirety can accommodate itself to any size car. The front axle supporting member is slightly inclined rearwardly, and is provided with a or bar along one edge thereof, which is engaged by the front axle of the vehicle at such time that the rear *axle is brought to a position immediately above the supporting member or platform therefor. The lifting frame in its entirety is supported by wheels 39. mounted upon the inclined tracks, and movable thereon for the purpose stated.

The normal position of the lifting frame is illustrated in Figure 1, wherein it will be noted that the flanged wheels are arranged at their lowermost points of the inclined tracks. The vehicle to be supported is driven over the jack, and when the front axle of the vehicle contacts the flange or bar 31, the rear axle is positioned imme diately above the adjacent supporting member 23. The impact moves the lifting frame in one direction over the supporting frame, and as the wheels of the lifting frame travel up the inclined tracks, both the frame and vehicle arranged thereon are elevated, there by spacing all four wheels of the car from the ground or surface.

Projecting from the inclined tracks at one end of the supporting frame are stops 33, which are engaged by the adjacent wheels of the lifting frame to limit the movement of the latter in one direction. These steps 33 also cooperate with latch elements 34, which holds the lifting frame elevated. The latch elements 34 are pivoted at points between their ends as at 35 on the side members of the lifting frame, and each element 341- has an onset end portion 36, which cooperates with the stops to hold the lifting frame elevated. These latch elements are held in horizontal positions by a yoke 37 pivoted upon the side members of the lifting frame as at 38, the free ends of the yoke being obliquely disposed and overlying the adjacent ends of the latch elements 3%. When the lifting frame has been moved in a direction to rise, that is to theposition shown in Figure 2, the offset extremities of the latching elements are positioned directly behind the stops for the purpose mentioned. hen it is desired to release the lifting carriage, thereby allowing it to gravitate upon the inclined tracks to its lowered position, it is only necessary to move the latch elements away from the stop plugs. For this purpose, the yoke is lifted, and as it moves upon its pivot, the oblique extremities thereof depress the adj acent ends of thelatching elements, thereby moving the ofi'set extremities 36 above and away' from the stop plugs. The lifting frame, then under the weight of the vehicle supported thereby, moves downwardly on the inclined tracks to its normal position. It will be noted that the jack in its entirety embodies comparatively few parts, as compared with other jacks of the same character, and that neither the supporting frame nor lifting frame are subjected to any twisting or torsional strain incident to the ise of the jack.

While it is believed that from the foregoing description, the nature and advantages of he invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is 1. An automobile jack comprising a horizontally arranged frame, a movable frame,

arranged on the horizontal frame and capable of longitudinal movement thereon, inclined trackways at the end of the horizontal frame, stops carried by the latter, latch elements pivoted intermediate their ends to the frame, ll-shaped yoke pivoted to one end of the frame having its ends disposed over one end of each of the latch elements,to normally retain thesame in horizontal position, the latch elements being locked for engagement with the stops and held behind the same by the yoke, the yoke being adapt-c ed to be swung away from the latch elements to permit the latter to disengage from the stops to allow the frame to gravitate.

2. A jack of the character described comprising a supporting frame, spaced inclined tracks arranged adjacent the ends thereof, a lifting frame, flanged wheels carried by the lifting frame and movable over said tracks, front and rear axle supporting members mounted on the liftin frame and ca-' pable of vertical adjustments, stops projecting from the tracks at one end of said frame to limit the movement of the latter in one direction, latches'pivoted on the lifting frame and having offset extremities arranged directly behind said stops when the said frame occupies an elevated position, a yoke pivoted on said frame and normally contacting the latches to hold them horizontally, and said yoke being actuated to move the latches away from said stops, and thereby allow the lifting frame to gravitate to normal position. V

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES nannnrn 

